A study in The Journal of the American Medical Association suggested that it’s whether you stick with whatever diet you choose that makes the difference. In this study, overweight and obese adults were assigned to follow the Atkins diet, the Ornish diet, Weight Watchers, or the “Zone” diet. After one year, nearly half of the participants had dropped out of the study. But those who didn’t lost similar amounts of weight (about 5 to 7 pounds each, on average). People assigned to the Atkins and Ornish diets were more likely to drop out of the study, suggesting that many people found these plans too extreme. The Kaizen Total Wellness weight-loss program is a sensible eating approach, not too restrictive, and focuses on eating the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats in right-sized portions 5-6 times a day.

Potatoes seem to be a particular culprit for weight gain and diabetes. A recent study from Harvard School of Public Health that  tracked the diet and lifestyle habits of 120,000 men and women for up to  20 years looked at how small food-choice changes contributed to weight  gain over time. People who increased their consumption of french fries gained an extra 3.4 pounds every four years and those who ate more baked or mashed potatoes gained 1.3 pounds. People who decreased their intake of these foods gained less weight, as  did people who increased their intake of other vegetables.   Potatoes don't count as a vegetable on Harvard's new Healthy Eating Plate,  and with good reason: They are very high in the kind of carbohydrate that the body digests rapidly, causing blood  sugar and insulin to surge and then dip. The scientific term for this is that they have a high glycemic load. 

Here are excerpts from a review on vitamins and supplements from the Archives of Internal Medicine.
I reprinted it without any editing.
Americans pay $27,000,000,000/year in vitamins and supplements!


Best Evidence Review of Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rates in Older Women
Mursu J, Robien K, Harnack LJ, Park K, Jacobs Jr DR. Dietary supplements and mortality rate in older women. Arch Intern Med.2011;171:1625-1633.

Dietary supplements are widely used by older adults, even though the effectiveness of these supplements in preventing illness is questionable. But can dietary supplements actually promote a higher risk for death? A new study suggests that the answer is yes for some of the most common supplements. This Best Evidence Review describes the findings of this study and puts these results in context.
Background
Vitamins and dietary supplements play an important role in the health and health care of many adults, and the business of supplements constitutes a multibillion-dollar industry worldwide. Based on the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 40% of men and 50% of women older than 60 years of age consume at least 1 vitamin or mineral supplement.[1] A national survey by the US Food and Drug Administration found that 73% of US adults were found to use dietary supplements in 2002, providing annual sale costs in 2005 of over $20 billion.[2,3]
The widespread use of dietary supplements is not supported by practice guidelines. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) states that there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of vitamins A, C, E, or multivitamins with folic acid or antioxidants.[4] Specifically, the USPSTF cites concerns regarding the balance of benefits vs harms of these supplements. The American Medical Association recommends supplements specifically for seniors who have generalized decreased food intake, while the American Dietetic Association advises low-dose multivitamin and mineral supplements depending on individualized dietary assessment.[5] The American Heart Association emphasizes healthy eating patterns rather than supplementation with specific nutrients.[6]
These recommendations against the routine use of supplements are grounded in good evidence. A Cochrane intervention review of 77 randomized controlled trials with 232,550 participants found no evidence to recommend antioxidant supplementation for primary or secondary prevention of mortality.[7] Moreover, there is the possibility of harm related to the use of some supplements. For example, the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Trial demonstrated that beta-carotene supplements increased the risk for lung cancer among male smokers.[8]

Commentary
The principal limitation of the current study was its observational nature, which leaves open the possibility of confounding by indication. Specifically, there is the possibility that women with higher risks for mortality or who developed serious chronic illnesses as they grew older had a wider use of supplements.
Nonetheless, it is worth remembering that women who used supplements had superior health characteristics compared with nonusers. Therefore, supplement users should have experienced a lower risk for death overall. While it is plausible that some women started taking multiple supplements when confronted with news of a severe illness, such as cancer, it is hard to imagine that this practice alone was common enough to tip the scales toward a higher overall risk for mortality associated with the use of supplements.
One of the more fascinating findings in this very interesting study is the higher risk for mortality associated with the use of iron supplements. Higher levels of serum iron and transferrin saturation have been associated with a lower risk for mortality.[9,10] However, another study found that men with a serum ferritin level of 200 mcg/L or more experienced more than a twofold increased risk for myocardial infarction.[11] Finally, both increased serum iron levels and higher transferrin saturation have been associated with an increased risk for death due to cancer.[12] Of course, in this study, women with existing anemia due to any number of chronic serious medical conditions, such as cancer or chronic kidney disease, could have been told to take iron supplements by their physician, and these illnesses might account for their higher mortality. In any case, it appears that the role of iron among adults without iron deficiency is controversial, and there is little data from clinical trials to suggest a benefit to the routine use of iron supplementation among adults.
An additional interesting finding in the current study is the effect of calcium, but not vitamin D, supplements in reducing the risk for mortality. This is another controversial area because calcium supplements have been implicated in promoting a higher risk for myocardial infarction among women.[13] However, in the Women's Health Initiative trial, the use of calcium plus vitamin D reduced the risk for some types of cancer without an overall effect on the risk for mortality.[14]
The findings from the current study offer several lessons to physicians. First, physicians need to pay close attention to nonprescription therapies used by patients. These treatments are routinely omitted from the history of many patients, but the current study suggests that physicians make such errors at the peril of their patients.
Physicians should be a trusted resource for patients interested in dietary supplements. We can help balance self-treatment practices that might be effective against those that appear harmful or excessive. The findings of the current study should be sobering for the most ardent supporters of supplements, and patients need to understand the potential risks inherent in the treatment choices they make.

Clinical Pearls
    •    Nearly half of older adults routinely use dietary supplements, with higher rates of use among women compared with men.
    •    The routine use of many dietary supplements is discouraged in practice guidelines.
    •    The use of multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper was associated with a higher risk for mortality among older women in the current study.
    •    Conversely, calcium supplements were associated with a lower risk for mortality. (I am not so sure about this statement!)
    •    Physicians need to analyze nonprescription therapies used by patients and warn them of potential harms associated with the use of supplements.

She's a chip off the old block (Dr. Mishner's!) with her passion for healthy eating,  and mostly healthy, somewhat exotic cooking! Julie Mishner has started a blog - jalapenoface.com - filled with recipes she has used, in a self-described miniscule kitchen!  They are special because they are for one or two people, they require very few ingredients and kitchen supplies, and very little time. We're proud to introduce her blog and feature one of her healthiest, most delicious recipes!

QUINOA TABOULE SALAD

There has always been a controversy about the safety of stimulants and heart disease/abuse in adults.
About 60% of children will continue to have symptoms as adults.
New evidence suggest that these drugs are safe and do not cause heart disease. That said, if blood pressure is controlled and the patient does not have a history
cardiac arrhythmia or a recent cardiac event, then it is safe to use.
 

Click on this heart for vital information about YOUR heart!!

And remember, we offer nutritional consultations for anyone interested in making healthy, permanent changes in eating habits!

The FDA is going after homeopathic products promoted for weight loss. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) isn't an approved homeopathic. Some weight loss clinics are giving Rx HCG injections...along with a 500 calorie/day diet. They claim that HCG helps burn fat and maintain muscle...but there's NO scientific evidence to support this. In fact, FDA requires Rx HCG labeling to say that it DOESN'T work for weight loss.
Using HCG for weight loss is also linked to serious problems...clots, depression, heart attacks, and even death.  

We know to plan for paying for college, long-term care and even our end of life decisions and affairs. What about a short-term healthy lifestyle plan? How much time do you spend each week planning in order to do a good job, be responsible, and stop worrying so much about the status of your health?  Choose one area which you know will contribute to living a healthier lifestyle and devote 15 minutes to focusing on this, making a written plan to follow just for this week.

Doctors and patients often wonder if there's an age at which statin benefits are outweighed by risks, such as muscle pain or drug interactions.  But cholesterol is still an important modifiable risk factor...even in patients over 80. Each 40 mg/dL drop in LDL lowers CV risk by about 20% over one year...REGARDLESS of age.

While your doctor, dietitian, cardiologist, TV health guru and wife rightly tell you to get off the couch and get plenty of exercise to improve your health, it may not help to lose a single pound. First, walking and even aerobic exercise can help your heart but strength training is important to build lean muscle, which does actually help your metabolism burn more calories. Secondly, if you take in more calories than you burn, you body likes to save them just in case you need them later, and the deposit is in the form of body fat.  Lastly, only counting calories isn't healthy or effective either. Your metabolism only works optimally when you keep your blood sugar levels as even as possible throughout your awake time.  The best way to control that is through eating 5-6 times throughout the day, with the proper balance of lean protein, fat and good carbohydrates.

The following are recommendations from Centers for Disease Control:

Hepatitis B vaccine for diabetes. Hepatitis B immunization is recommended for adults with diabetes under age 60. Adults with diabetes are more prone to liver disease...have twice the risk of contracting hepatitis B...and seem more likely to develop a chronic infection than people without diabetes. Patients are also at risk for hepatitis B if they're in a group setting that improperly shares blood glucose monitoring equipment.
Hepatitis B vaccination for diabetes patients age 60 and up is recommended only  if they are at increased risk for hepatitis B. But keep in mind that the vaccine is less effective in these older patients.
 

Did you know that cinnamon was at one time more valuable than gold?  Can you recall all the times it is mentioned in the Bible, including in the Song of Solomon and also being used by Moses? We hear that this aromatic spice which was  imported into Egypt as early as 2000 BC has many health benefits.   Is it a good source of fiber? Does it inhibit the development of Alzheimer's? Does it have antiviral properties?  The science is still unproven on many of these claims, but we don't see any studies which show using cinnamon is harmful. It certainly is a healthy choice to sprinkle on your oatmeal or cereal instead of sugar, and it perfectly flavors an apple, pear or winter squash for baking. We know it is low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium, and contains calcium, manganese, Vitamin K and iron.  It can enhance the sweetness of foods even though it contains no sugar.  It is currently the subject of many nutrition studies.
Whether cinnamon can lower blood sugar is a topic of debate — but recent research suggests that cinnamon may be helpful as a supplement to regulate diabetes treatment in people with type 2 diabetes. One study published in 2009 found that cinnamon taken twice a day for 90 days improved hemoglobin A1C levels in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (hemoglobin A1C levels greater than 7 percent).  One theory is that cinnamon increases insulin action.More research is needed to confirm these findings and determine how cinnamon supplementation leads to these benefits. In the meantime, put some cinnamon in a handy shaker and encourage your family to use it, especially in place of sugar, brown sugar or salt.  (PS: Have you tried Emerald's Cinnamon Roasted Almonds? Yum! )

We are delighted to welcome licensed dietitian Patricia King, LD, MS, to the Kaizen Total Wellness team. Please call to schedule an appointment. Remember, if you are on Medicare, you may be entitled to obesity counseling, covered by Medicare! Call us for more information. 941-747-2090

If you are a MEDICARE patient, you are entitled to ONE office visit to review HEART HEALTH at no cost to you.

Our nurse practitioner will review diet and exercise and determine whether you are a candidate for ASPIRIN therapy.

Also, MEDICARE will cover multiple face to face meetings for OBESITY counseling, also at no charge to the patient.

Posted: 11/28/2011; BMJ © 2011 BMJ Publishing Group
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer, with 1.2 million new cases diagnosed in 2008 worldwide, accounting for about 9.7% of all cases of cancer. Evidence from ecological studies, migrant studies, and secular trend studies suggest that environmental risk factors are of major importance in the cause of colorectal cancer. Dietary factors have been suspected as important, but only intakes of red and processed meat and alcohol are considered to be convincing dietary risk factors for colorectal cancer.
 
Conclusion: A high intake of dietary fiber, in particular cereal fiber and whole grains, was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Further studies should report more detailed results, including those for subtypes of fiber and be stratified by other risk factors to rule out residual confounding. Further assessment of the impact of measurement errors on the risk estimates is also warranted.
Our meta-analysis supports an inverse association between intake of dietary fiber, cereal fiber, and whole grains and risk of colorectal cancer, but we found no significant evidence for an association with intake of fiber from fruit, vegetables, or legumes.

Over the past few months there have been several studies showing the LACK of any medical benefits with every cholesterol drug on the market with the exception of STATINS (Lipitor, Crestor, etc).
In the past we always thought we had to achieve certain numbers for medications to be effective. Well, there seems to be some questions about that, too.
The new paradigm says that we should look at STATINS as risk reducing medications rather than just lipid lowering drugs. It appears that STATINS lower cardiovascular disease regardless of baseline cholesterol levels and subsequent LDL levels. So, now the old school thinking of lowering the LDL below 100 or 70 for certain patients is being questioned (especially since side effects go up with the dose).
Please remember that the practice of medicine remains an art and not a science. Medical thinking and recommendations continue to evolve. Stay tuned.........

Drink more water-

at least 6 full glasses or bottles each day.  What will you notice right away? Healthier looking skin.  Also, you will have an easier time with portion control and avoiding too much snacking between meals because you won't be getting 'thirst signals' which you've misinterpreted as hunger.   Also, you may not realize it, but every cell in your body will start functioning better when properly hydrated.

Acai Berry Pill Marketers to Pay $1.5 Million to Settle FTC Charges

(Date Posted: 1/10/2012)

On January 9, 2012, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that an operation that marketed acai berry supplements, "colon cleansers," and other products using allegedly fraudulent free trial offers and phony endorsements from Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray will pay $1.5 million as part of a settlement. The money will be made available for consumer refunds.
The case against Phoenix-based Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc., is part of the FTC's ongoing efforts to protect consumers from fraudulent internet marketing, as well as false and misleading health claims. The settlement order bans the defendants from so-called "negative-option" sales, such as continuity plans and free or introductory price trial offers, in which consumers pay nothing up front or only a small fee to receive a product, but are then automatically charged a higher price unless they take steps to cancel the shipments, or return the product before the end of the trial period.
The 2010 FTC complaint alleged that two individuals and five related companies deceptively claimed that their Acai Pure supplement would cause rapid and substantial weight loss, and that their Colotox colon cleanser would prevent colon cancer. Also, despite claiming to offer a "free" trial for a nominal fee and full refunds upon request, the defendants allegedly repeatedly made unauthorized charges to consumers' bank accounts, and made it all but impossible to avoid paying full price for the products, typically $39.95 to $59.95.
The FTC charged that the defendants violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, as well as the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and its implementing language, Regulation E. At the request of the FTC in August 2010, a federal court halted the allegedly illegal conduct of the Central Coast Nutraceuticals defendants, imposed an asset freeze, and appointed a receiver to oversee the corporate defendants.
Victimized consumers flooded law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau with thousands of complaints about the company. The defendants' marketing traded on the rampant popularity of acai berry supplements, which are derived from acai palm trees that are native to Central and South America. The Better Business Bureau named fake "free" trial offers – including those for acai supplements offered by the defendants in this case – as one of the "Top 10 Scams and Rip-Offs of 2009."
In addition to Gibson and Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc., the settlement order resolves the FTC's charges against all other defendants in the case: Michael A. McKenzy; iLife Health and Wellness LLC; Simply Naturals LLC; Health and Beauty Solutions LLC; and Fit for Life LLC.

“The Federal Trade Commission announced that CVS Caremark Corp. agreed to pay $5 million to settle a complaint that it misinformed seniors about the price of certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs sold through CVS and Walgreens pharmacies.

The action by the company, according to the FTC, caused seniors and consumers with disabilities to pay significantly more for drugs. It also pushed them more quickly into the so-called “doughnut hole,” in which drug costs aren’t covered by the federal program.

The FTC says Caremark offers drug plans through its subsidiary RxAmerica, acquired in 2008. Consumers shopping for a drug plan looked up the prices of drugs on RxAmerica’s website, where the prices were low-balled, the FTC says. Sometimes, the agency says, the actual price of the drugs was more than 10 times the price quoted online.

The money will be used to reimburse consumers.”

The people who make and market this claim that it will improve circulation, prevent kidney stones, slow aging and increase immunity. They even claim that it can help prevent heart attacks, strokes and cancer!
Coconut water does have a lot of electrolytes but basically there is no proof that it does anything other than hydrate. (hmmmm-sounds like expensive water!)
Please note that it does contain a lot of potassium (about the same as a banana or glass of orange juice).
Also be aware that it can interact with certain prescription blood pressure medications (lisinopril, maxzide, Diovan, Tekturna, etc) to cause unsafe elevations in potassium levels which could be fatal.
 
Our recommendations: Stick to water, but if you must use this, please notify us so we can determine whether it is safe for you to use.

Your muscles will feel more energized after 20 minutes on this vibrating surface.

By Sarah Zlotnick

It’s 1:12 PM, and I’m still on the road. My appointment at Bethesda’s Equinox Gym was supposed to begin at 1, but I’m still inching up Wisconsin Avenue (It’s a Wednesday, people—aren’t you supposed to be at work?!) and in a pretty awful mood. My muscles ache with dull pain from sitting in an office chair for nine hours a day (and in traffic for the past hour and a half), and now my only workout for the week has been cut down by almost a full 15 minutes.??After screeching into a nearby parking garage, I frantically change in the front seat (please tell me after-the-fact confessions can’t get you arrested for public nudity) and sprint over to the facility. Equinox’s smiling Joe Sigismondo whisks me upstairs. At 1:21, I finally come face to face with the reason I volunteered for this trek in the first place: the Power Plate.
The Power Plate, originally developed to help astronauts rapidly gain muscle, is a vibrating platform large enough to accommodate the average person performing a deep squat. Since it was developed for commercial use in 1999, celebs such as Madonna, Kelly Osbourne, and Courtney Cox have gushed about it being a quick way to get in an intense workout—and I’ve been dying to try it.??As you perform basic exercises such as push ups, stretches, and squats on the plate, the targeted muscles involuntary contract at a rate of 25 to 50 times per second. This helps maintain balance in reaction to the vibration, thereby causing increased blood flow and deeper stimulation.??If you’ve ever been victim to electroshock therapy while recovering from a knee injury, the sensation of the Power Plate is similar, but much less intense. Plus it spreads past the area being targeted into muscles you wouldn’t normally work when performing standing calisthenics.??There are three different settings on the machine: hertz (vibrations per second), amplitude (height of vibration), and time. As a first-timer, Joe recommends I start off on 30-30-low—that’s 30 vibrations per second, with the platform moving mere millimeters up and down. We begin with basic stretches like lunges and a position similar to child’s pose to stretch my shoulders, holding for 30 seconds at a time.

After these short bursts, my hamstrings are already tingling the way they would after 15 minutes on a treadmill. Joe mentions the Power Plate is a great way to warm up before a cardio session, since it loosens muscles and increases blood flow far more effectively than traditional standing stretches.??Next, we work through two sets of step-ups, squats, planks, and modified V-sits. Once my body realizes that the key to feeling the full effects of the vibrations is to perform slow, controlled movements, and to hold my position—no matter how hard my muscles are moving—I begin to understand why one Marie Claire staffer wrote that she felt “completely drained” after just 20 minutes on the thing. I’m not quite there yet, though, so Joe turns my timer up to 45 seconds, and we start on push ups and cable rows for my arms. After the second set of push ups, I’m almost ready to collapse; it’s only been a minute and a half, and my arms feel more engaged than after a half-hour session on the weight machines.??Lastly, Joe walks me through two “massages.” My favorite is for the trapezius muscle. For this massage, Joe tells me to sit on the floor with my back against the base of the plate and hold the cable rows attached to the machine tightly across my body. I feel the vibration deep in my shoulders, and the ache of hunching over a keyboard all day seems to melt away.

Many companies have heeded the fact that the health of employees correlates directly with productivity, health insurance costs, absenteeism and accidents on the job.  We applaud the trend to create Employee Wellness Teams and incentivized programs in the workplace, and in fact Kaizen provides excellent Corporate Wellness Programs.  But what if your employer has no such program, or you are self-employed, or working from home? Then you have the opportunity to put on your own Body Boss hat and design a program for your own optimal health. You can include increasing your activity level and healthier food choices.  Just like a Wellness Committee Chair, you can decide your goals and how to measure progress.  Be sure to think like a boss and build in incentives and rewards.  Have a weekly appointment with yourself to review your goals, note your progress and celebrate even the smallest Win.  By making this a priority, you will gain strength and energy to better manage all your other jobs.  Employees with high levels of physical well-being have more energy, get more done in less time and are more likely to be in a good mood.

-Barbara Bingham, MCC, Nutritionist
Kaizen Total Wellness, Director

Typical green salads start off healthy and can provide a very lean, nutrient and fiber-rich meal or side.   'Green' means leaves of spinach or dark green lettuce, and chopped veggies such as cucumber, bell pepper and broccoli.  Adding tomato or grated carrot is smart too -- the mistake is usually made when dressing the salad.   How much money and effort have companies like Kraft spent to convince us our salad isn't ready until we pour gobs of emulisfied salad syrup on it?  Check the labels and you will often find high amounts of sodium, sugar and/or fat along with artificial coloring, MSG and preservatives. If you make your dressing at home and put it in the right bottle, it will keep in the refrigerator for weeks and be just as convenient, cheaper, and healthier.
The principle behind the one true French vinaigrette is simple, chef Michael Roux explains in his book "Sauces" -- one teaspoon Dijon mustard, one tablespoon vinegar and three tablespoons oil. “Everyone has his or her own take on this simple recipe” Roux writes.  Experiment with your own creations by adding herbs, garlic, lemon juice, minced onion or even miso, ginger or stevia.  Vary the dressing by using different vinegars like balsamic or red wine vinegar. Extra virgin olive oil is not only a healthy choice but also a delicious one for your recipe sure to become your first choice over any dressing off the store shelf.

-Barbara Bingham, MCC, Nutritionist
 Director, Kaizen Total Wellness

In case you were wondering.......I have listed several popular drugs and the dates they plan on going generic:
 
Avapro,Avalide (hypertension)...............3-2012
Boniva(osteoporosis)............................3-2012
Lexapro (anti-depressant).....................3-2012
Plavix (blood thinner)............................5-2012
Maxalt (migraines)................................6-2012
Lunesta (sleeping pill)............................6-2012
Clarinex (antihistamine).........................7-2012
Actos (diabetes)....................................8-2012
Singulair (asthma, allergies)....................8-2012
Diovan, Diovan HCT (hypertension).........9-2012
Aciphex (acid reflux)..............................5-2013
Zomig (migraines)..................................5-2013
Cymbalta (anti-depressant)....................5-2013
Niaspan (lipids).....................................9-2013
Lyrica (pain)........................................10-2013
Micardis (hypertension).........................1-2014
Evista (osteoporosis).............................3-2014
Vytorin (cholesterol)..............................3-2014
Celebrex (arthritis).................................5-2014
Nexium (acid reflux)...............................5-2014
Actonel (osteoporosis)...........................6-2014
Avodart (enlarged prostate)...................11-2015
Crestor (cholesterol)...............................2-2016
Benicar (hypertension)...........................10-2016
Viagra...................................................10-2019
 
Please be aware that it usually takes 6-12 months before the price drops significantly.
Some patients are already getting “branded” drugs from other countries. Please make sure you know exactly where they were manufactured as they are illegal and may not be held to the same standards as the FDA and the United States.

Two Plate Demonstration

YES! This is true...at least when it comes to initial urine SCREENING tests.
     Certain substances can cause false positives on urine immunoassay-based screens...but the same sample will come back negative with a stricter laboratory-based test such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
     SCREENING tests for opiates and amphetamines often result in false positives.
     For example, an OTC decongestant such as pseudoephedrine can look like an amphetamine on a screening test...so can bupropion, ranitidine, labetalol, or chlorpromazine.
     Please be aware that eating foods containing large amounts of poppy seeds can cause a false positive for opioids...so can rifampin and levofloxacin.
     Dextromethorphan can look like an opioid or PCP...and diphenhydramine, tramadol, and venlafaxine users can test positive for PCP.
      Screening tests are pretty good at picking up marijuana use...but taking an NSAID or PPI can result in a false positive.
      Labs usually run all positive screening results through more accurate and reliable lab-based confirmation tests. These tests CAN tell the difference between the real thing and legal drugs masquerading as illegal ones.
      SCREENING tests don’t always pick up all opioids in a patient’s system. Tell prescribers that typical urine screening for opiates only tests for morphine and codeine.      How long a person using drugs tests positive varies.
     Amphetamines or codeine use can usually be detected up to 2 days after a dose...cocaine and hydromorphone up to 2 to 4 days...and morphine for up to 2 to 3 days.
      Marijuana metabolites stick around quite a while. A single use can be picked up by a urine screen a week later...and multiple-day users can test positive up 4 to 6 weeks later.
     Detoxifying products (XXtra Clean, etc) aren’t proven to work...and labs can detect “doctored” urine.

It is well known that Cancer Fatigue is a common problem; one that can be improved by an exercise program.
We are pleased to offer or own Cancer Fatigue Program that was originally developed for the Moffit Cancer Canter in Tampa.
Let our Nutritionists, Physical Therapists and Exercise Trainers help you while you are undergoing cancer therapy. Our low impact exercise program is easy, safe and closely monitored.
For more information, call 941-556-7788 or ask your oncologist. We accept most insurance plans.

Reuters Health) - About one third of breast cancer survivors experience fatigue that can affect their quality of life, but a small new study finds that doing yoga might help restore some lost vitality.
After three months of twice-weekly yoga classes, a group of breast cancer survivors in California reported significantly diminished fatigue and increased "vigor." A control group of women who took classes in post-cancer health issues, but didn't do yoga, had no changes in their fatigue or depression levels.
Dr. Maira Campos, a research scholar at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine who was not involved in the study, said the findings echo similar results from past studies that looked at yoga and cancer patients.
Persistent fatigue lasting years after cancer treatment is a common problem whose origin is unknown, and for which there are no validated treatments.
Some studies have shown that stress-reduction techniques or exercise classes can help reduce fatigue among cancer patients and survivors in general. But none of them has specifically targeted cancer survivors experiencing fatigue to see if a potential therapy reverses the problem, according to Julienne Bower, an associate professor in the psychology department of the University of California, Los Angeles, and her colleagues.
They recruited 31 breast cancer survivors to undergo "treatment" for their fatigue over 12 weeks at the UCLA Medical Center. Each woman was randomly assigned to participate in either two 90-minute yoga classes every week or a two-hour health class once a week.
At the start of the study, each group of women had similar scores on a questionnaire that gauges fatigue levels.
The group taking the educational classes experienced about the same amount of fatigue and energy throughout the initial study period. However, the group taking the yoga class reported about a 26 percent drop in fatigue and a 55 percent increase in energy after the 12-week yoga regimen.
The women in the yoga group also continued to report significant improvements in fatigue levels three months after the classes stopped.
The findings, published in the journal Cancer, do not prove that yoga caused the improvements in fatigue levels. The researchers note, however, that both groups of women had similar expectations that their assigned "treatment" would help them, so a placebo effect is not a likely explanation for the benefits seen in the yoga group.
Jacquelyn Banasik, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at Washington State University, also noted improvements in cancer fatigue after yoga classes in a study she published in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2010.
"I can't say that yoga is the only way to achieve the results seen in ours and other studies," Banasik told Reuters Health in an email. "A beginning ballet class -- with (its) emphasis on form and positioning -- might have similar effects. Gaining a sense of control over one's physical body, when one has a disease like breast cancer, might be an important part of the benefit."
Both of the studies by Bower and Banasik used Inyengar yoga, which, according to Banasik, emphasizes taking poses slowly and paying close attention to maintaining correct form.
Campos told Reuters Health that acupuncture, exercise and physical therapy are sometimes used to treat cancer survivors suffering from fatigue, without a prescription if their symptoms are mild.
She added that she would not prescribe yoga based just on the new study, however.
She said it would be better to compare yoga to another exercise instead of a health- class setting.
Campos also emphasized that it's important for patients to talk to their doctors about fatigue during and after cancer treatments.
"The patient should not be suffering or impaired just because they had cancer," Campos said.

Jennifer Dziob, Trainer

Acceleration Training for Non-Exercisers

A recent study showed that there were 2 major reasons participants did not adhere to an exercise program:
1. Their pre-existing level of physical activity
2. Recommended exercise time (Sedentary women who were asked to exercise 30 minutes/day, 5 days a week were very likely to quit!)

Now suppose you could achieve all your goals by exercising just 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week!


To help achieve your goals (especially for non-exercisers), Acceleration Training does the following:

1. Just show up. Because of the tonic-vibration reflex, you don’t even have to move. Let the Power Plate machine work on muscle contractions to get your “work-out”!
2. Give us 15 minutes twice a week to increase muscle strength. Most people see results very quickly.

In addition, our exclusive bioDensity machine can build strength in less then 5 minutes per week

At KAIZEN TOTAL WELLNESS, our trainers are certified by Power Plate International to insure that you can expect a work-out that is tailored to your needs.
When used for certain medical conditions, this might even be covered by your insurance.
All programs are low impact and very safe


Call 941-556-7788 and ask for your free demo today.

 
From skipping rope to sprinting - at some point in our lives we have performed some type of plyometric activity. Plyometric training is a fancy way of saying you did something really quick. Athletes capitalize on this mode of exercise all the time - inclusive in Power training. Unfortunately, most athletes and the general populace have no knowledge of "true" plyometric training. Some have gotten wind of this exercise phenomenon through so-called "jump" training. While true that plyometrics include jumping, not all jumps are plyometric! The Russians implemented "shock training" to their athletes and military personnel decades ago. In the 50's some forward thinking soviets introduced the West to this specialized training and from there the misconceptions grew. Plyometrics are meant to be powerful and explosive with less than 2/10s of a second of contact (ground reaction time) - literally in the blink of an eye. Since the easiest employment came through jumping, most saw jumping as plyometric and incorrectly began jumping through hoops and such to showcase this new-fangled exercise. The fact is, a plyometric exercise is a muscle action capitalizing on the stretch-shortening cycle or SSC. This can come in the form of throwing, running, jumping, clapping ... or PowerPlate training at Kaizen Total Wellness.
 
Here is the beauty of the PowerPlate machine at Kaizen - to create a plyometric movement there must be a counter-movement to initiate and employ the elasticity of the muscle and thereby utilize the SSC. For instance, to jump we inherently squat (even a little) and then triple extend about the hip, knee and ankle joints. Ask anyone to jump and you will see this occur everytime, if not the jump is less than impressive. So, what if you should not jump or just do not want to jump? What if you wish to train the upper body instead of the legs? Your answer is the PowerPlate! Why? The Vibration technology creates a reflexive neuromuscular response in the body. Meaning, you do not need to consciously contract your muscles, the machine transmits energy into the body and the body responds instinctively. Science has shown that a reflexive action is quicker and more powerful than a conscious effort (think Fight-Flight-Fright reflex intrinsic in all mammals). On a subtle, continuous and SAFE level, the platform drops from under foot and causes a reflex response. Just as if walking on a sidewalk in the dark and suddenly stepping down from the curb, the muscles forcibly contract to protect the organism - a total body response (muscular, nervous, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory and endocrine systems synergize). This means immediate results due to the stimulation placed on the body - research shows 300-400% greater muscular recruitment than conventional weight training. This occurs 25-50 times per second, leading to enhanced effects in shorter time intervals!
 
No matter if you are a recreational athlete, an elite competitor, or a medical patient - every body that stands on the plate receives the same stimulation and cumulative effects of the PowerPlate through Vibration technology. Literally, enhancing the neuromuscular quality of the body, recalibrating the nervous system to adapt more efficiently, and effectively increasing the activity of the body's coordinated systems. To receive the benefits of sports strength and conditioning, whether for sport, pleasure or therapy - please contact Kaizen Total Wellness at 941-556-7788 to experience a FREE demo of the PowerPlate at our Lakewood Ranch office.
 
- Jason Balducci, ACSM-HFS, NASM-CES
Fitness Trainer, Certified on Power Plate
Kaizen Total Wellness

Driving in to work the other day, I heard two commercials for “testosterone” boosters. The claims made, such as increased energy, strength, weight loss and libido are correct. The only problem is that it is not safe for everyone to use and may contain actual steroids! Testosterone supplements should only be used under physician supervision and may increase the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. Only prescription grade testosterone should be prescribed.
 
 
 
 
Testosterone Booster Supplement Recalled for Containing Synthetic Steroid
On October 5, 2011, the U.S. FDA announced that Superior Metabolic Technologies Inc of Marietta, Georgia is voluntarily recalling all lots of the testosterone booster Uprizing 2.0 because tests have shown the product appears to contain superdrol, a synthetic steroid, making it an unapproved new drug. On August 5 the FDA made Superior Metabolic Technologies Inc aware that Uprizing 2.0 contains superdrol which is banned by the FDA. This led to the recall of the product.
 
This is the rule, unfortunately, rather then the exception. Buyer beware as the FDA is impotent!

Why do people think OTC (Over the counter) supplements are safer than prescription drugs?

Do you know what’s in your supplement?
Please read the following unedited paper from the FDA.
And, do you really think this is an isolated case?
At, Kaizen Total Wellness, we want our patients to know the truth behind supplement scams and to understand why we are against them.
There is no substitution for healthy eating and exercise.
 
 
FDA Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Dietary Supplement Maker -- 400+ Products Affected
(Date Posted: 11/27/2011)
On November 23, 2011, the U.S. FDA took legal action against a dietary supplement maker and owner for substituting ingredients and products without noting the changes on the final product labels. The permanent injunction, filed on behalf of the FDA by the U.S. Department of Justice, would stop the defendants from making and distributing more than 400 products for being in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
This is the first time FDA has taken legal action against a dietary supplement manufacturer of this size for failure to comply with the dietary supplement current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations. The cGMPs for dietary supplements went into effect in 2007, in a stepped process based on company size. This company's compliance date came into effect in 2010, and they did not meet the relevant cGMP requirements after that date.
The FDA requested the permanent injunction against ATF Fitness Products Inc. (ATF), Manufacturing ATF Dedicated Excellence, Inc. (MADE), and James G. Vercellotti of Oakmont, Pa., owner and operator of both companies. The cGMP regulations require manufacturers to ensure quality in their dietary supplements by controlling all aspects of their processes and procedures. MADE makes more than 400 dietary supplements, including vitamins and minerals, under the brands “Sci-Fit,” “Nature’s Science” and “For Store Only.” ATF purchases dietary supplements exclusively from MADE and distributes them throughout the United States.
“Dietary supplements have a significant role in the public’s health,” said Dara Corrigan, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “Today’s injunction reinforces our commitment to ensuring that these supplements meet the cGMP requirements the law establishes.”
The government's complaint, filed Nov. 23, 2011, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, alleges that in addition to “adulterating” and “misbranding” their final products, the manufacturer and its owner failed to report serious adverse events associated with their products. In one case an individual who consumed one of the products reported experiencing a spike in blood pressure, hospitalization and a subsequent mild heart attack. For more information, use the link below.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm281017.htm

Hmmmmm, I didn't know that!

Not only are Multiple Vitamins of no benefit, they can sometimes increase the risks of disease. We know Vitamin E increases the risks of heart disease and prostate cancer. B-complex vitamins will increase the risks of heart disease.
Vitamin A increases the incidence of lung cancer, especially in smokers. There are no medical studies that show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that vitamins improve health.
 
Herbal cholesterol lowering products are neither safe nor effective. Products like Red Yeast Rice may contain toxic contaminants. The only medications that have PROVEN benefits in lowering heart attack and stroke risks are STATINS.
No other prescription cholesterol products have any PROVEN benefits and these include ZETIA, WELCHOL, NIASPAN (niacin), FENOFIBRATES (Tricor, Trilipix)
 
The higher the Body Mass Index (BMI), the higher the risks of colon polyps and cancer.
 
An Aspirin or NSAID (Advil) daily can reduce the incidence of colon polyps. Please check with your doctor as these drugs may interact adversely with other medications.
 
The risks of heart disease in diabetics are related more to Hypertension, High Cholesterol and lack of Physical Activity than it is to poorly controlled glucose levels.
 
According to Consumer Reports, 25% of FISH species are mislabeled (remember the grouper shortage a few years ago?)
 
It is not unusual to “hurt” after beginning an exercise program (You are probable using muscles you haven’t used in years-not unlike being sore after throwing a baseball the first time the first warm spring day)
 
Vitamin and Herbal supplements, for the most part are not regulated by the FDA and have limited, if any, proven medical benefits. Consumers spend over $27,000,000,000/year looking for alternative routes to health.

What's that, you say? Forgot Cousin Ralph? Still don't know what to give your child's favorite teacher? A gift certificate from Kaizen Total Wellness can mean many things....a massage, a workout with a personal trainer on Power Plate, a nutritional consultation...
What it says is " I want you around for a long time!"
Call the office today - we'll send it out or you can pick it up. It is that easy.  

Kaizen Total Wellness - 941.556.7788

At Kaizen Total Wellness, we have had a phenomenal year filled with the rewards of working with clients who are highly motivated to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle!  We feel privileged to be helping our clients on Power Plate and bioDensity machines - two of the most advanced training and conditioning machines anywhere! Every day, we see the difference between a workout here and one on the conventional gym equipment. There is no comparison! Check out our Testimonials page on the website to see some of what's been accomplished here at Kaizen Total Wellness.
We want to wish all of our Kaizen Total Wellness clients and staff the happiest of holidays, and an upcoming year of continued commitment to a healthy lifestyle!

It's a great idea to snack, especially over the holidays! Having a healthy snack before a holiday party is just plain smart! Here's a short selection of  delicious smoothie confections that replace guilt with pride in treating yourself to something both delicious and healthy! For the entire list of 0ver 20 healthy snacks to indulge in, please call the office and ask Barbara Bingham, our director and a nutritionist, for the Kaizen Total Wellness "Snacks & Smoothies" handout. We'll have it waiting for you at the front desk! 941-556-7788

Sometimes, diet, exercise and will power are just not enough to help one lose weight. There are many drugs and supplements available to help. Unfortunately, most are either not FDA approved nor are they safe (HCG).
At our practice, we have been using Phentermine for over 30 years with a lot of success. It is very inexpensive. At one time it cost $5.00/month until a fake shortage was conjured up in the late 1990’s, but the price is still affordable in the mid $20.00 range.
Whenever we place a patient on Phentermine, we require two things from our patients:
 
          1. Adopt a healthier lifestyle. (Use this time to learn how to eat healthy)
          2. Start an exercise program. (Learn to build muscle and burn fat)
 
Even though many patients will develop tolerance to phentermine, studies have shown that, even after two years, those using it still had lower weights then those who stopped it. The risks of cardiovascular side effects were no different then placebo, even in senior citizens.
 
Lately, we have been adding Topamax to Phentermine and have been able to increase weight loss in some of our patients. Topamax is actually an anti-seizure drug but can be very effective in helping patients lose weight. It was only by mistake that the medical world discovered patients on it were losing weight. We use it mainly for chronic pain and migraines.
 
Both Phentermine and Topamax are safe for long term use, but like any other medications, side effects can be seen.  The most common side effect with Phentermine is nervousness and insomnia. Topamax may cause drowsiness and confusion. These side effects are reversible when the medications are stopped. Please note that, medicine is an art and not a science. Results are NEVER guaranteed as we can never predict how the human body will react.
 
These medications may or may not be appropriate for you. Only your PHYSICIAN can tell you if it is appropriate to use.
 
In our practice, our patients must be seen on a monthly basis to get their prescriptions renewed.